This Kills Over 2 Million People in the US Each Year

IN YOUR DAILY DOSE today you’ll discover a unique method researchers are investigating to determine if they can reduce the number of people injured and killed each year by this common activity.

IN MAKING CHANGES today you’ll discover 9 tips to help you stay safe from the very same activity that kills or injures over 2 million people every year.

IN FACT OR FICTION you’ll discover if 73.4% of the statistics you read online are true or false.

In The News

Every year 24,000 people are killed or seriously injured on the roads in Great Britain and over 2 million people killed or injured in the United States. Research being done in Great Britain is evaluating whether using driving simulators will help to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths related to car accidents.

Participants in the study drove a 12-mile loop around Nottingham in an instrumented on-road car. During a simulated trial on an identical route using a computerized simulator, the researchers recorded eye movements and driving behaviors. The objective was to measure the brain activity during both exercises in order to determine if using a simulator could help to reduce car accidents.

The measurements after the testing evaluated the similarities and differences between driving on the road and behind the wheel of a simulator. The goal is to help drivers experience driving in adverse conditions when driving under real conditions would be too dangerous. The research also has implications for use by military personnel.

Driving is a skill we usually learn in our teens and which becomes fairly automatic by the time we reach our 20s. Unfortunately, that automatic behavior can involve bad habits that increase the risk that we’ll be one of the over 2 million people in the U.S. who suffers a car accident.

Making Changes

You might have learned to drive decades ago, but it’s never too late to change bad habits and reduce your potential for experiencing an accident.

1. Adjust your mirrors whenever you get in the car. If you are adjusting the mirrors when you’re out driving, it’s already too late. You can miss something before you even know it.

2. Use your side mirrors when backing up. Yes, you should look behind you and check for cars and people. But, when in reverse and moving, your side mirrors give you a larger visual field, and faster, than trying to back up while you’re up in your seat with your head twisted to the rear.

3. Never text and drive.

4. Keep your phone calls to a minimum while driving.

5. If you are highly distractible, don’t use the radio. Concentrate on the road in front of you until you get to your destination.

6. Come to a complete stop before backing up.

7. Look both ways, twice, before pulling out in traffic. It’s amazing how many times you’ll miss the car coming the first time you look.

8. Take driving seriously.

9. Use your turn signals before turning. The car behind you and in front want to know what you’re doing.

My Daily Affirmation

When neighbors are ill or suffer a tragedy, I invite their children over to spend the day with my kids. This simple act gives the parents a break and the kids a fun day.

I have patience with children. I show them the love and attention they crave.

Today, spending time with the kids is one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. I sleep well at night when I know that I have made a positive difference in their lives. After all, children are our future.